Not long after Anmokume declared her resolve, Yasui Makoto and Kikō Misuzu happened to arrive at the inn together.
When they learned how Anmokume felt, Yasui Makoto's spirits lifted, and a look of relief flashed across his eyes. Kikō Misuzu's eyes immediately curved into crescents, her face blooming with undisguised joy and affection.
She hurried over and affectionately pulled the still somewhat dazed Anmokume into her arms, then planted a quick kiss on her smooth forehead.
"Goodness! Our Little Anemon is amazing! That courage deserves a reward!"
As Anmokume's face turned bright red and everyone looked on in surprise, Sister Misuzu lifted her chin proudly and explained with a beaming smile:
"This is a blessing for good luck! When Little Makoto was little and had some kind of competition coming up, I'd always bless him like this. Then he'd win just like that!"
At her words, all the Uma Musume turned to look at Yasui Makoto, their faces full of surprise and curiosity.
Yasui Makoto felt helplessness wash over him. His ears grew slightly warm, and he couldn't help pressing a hand to his forehead.
"Come on, Mom. It wasn't that exaggerated... Besides, those were paper-folding contests and jump-rope competitions back in kindergarten..."
"Does kindergarten not count as when you were little?"
Kikō Misuzu immediately retorted, hands on her hips as she glared at him with mock displeasure.
"So you're saying your mother was wrong? Or do you think her blessings don't work?"
Faced with his mother's "unreasonable" "accusation," Yasui Makoto opened his mouth, but under the gaze of those eyes that clearly said Just try denying it, he eventually gave in. He could only sigh helplessly and concede:
"Uh... Fine, you're right."
Seeing how the normally composed Trainer lost all his usual poise in front of his mother and